Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Trouble,” Edmund growled.
“Had I not frozen you too, you would have hit him when he was unable to defend himself, and that wouldn’t be fair. I want your word that you will not continue fighting when I release you.”
“You have my word,” Garron and Darian both said.
I glanced at Father and saw he, too, had jumped into the fray.
A sigh escaped me.
“Is this the way the kings of Turre wish to introduce themselves to the king of Drisdall?” I asked.
I felt the disbelief in the head guard, who I hadn’t needed to freeze.
“Yes. Kings. Please send word to King Afton that Turre is no longer fallen. The road between our kingdoms has been repaired, and the kings are here to speak of a new trade agreement. And I am here to speak to my sister, Eloise Cartwright.”
“Very well, come with me.” The head guard’s expression remained impassive as his disbelief continued. He meant to lead us toward the castle, but once there, he would ensure I was imprisoned for my open use of magic against the crown.
I snorted and released his guards.
“No more fighting, please,” I said.
One of the guards moved to grab Edmund’s arm, but his hand couldn’t touch him. He tried several times before glancing at me.
“Please do not attempt to touch what is mine.”
The guard looked to the head guard.
“At your leave, kind sir, I am ready to end this journey and see Eloise.”
My feet, sore from the distance we’d already walked, ached fiercely by the time we reached the castle. When the head guard started to veer toward a side gate, I continued forward, straight toward the open main gate.
“Halt,” the head guard cried.
“I understand you are only trying to do your duty. However, I promise my sister will not be pleased if you lead her sister and father to your dungeon. I’m sparing you a severe reprimanding, really.”
Each attempt to stop us was met with failure due to the pocket of air I’d created around us like a barrier. It didn’t close us off but simply prevented them from touching us.
The men truly tried. Their feet skidded along the stone as they braced against the barrier that moved with us. More guards were called before we reached the stairs, not that it did the lot any good.
“This is quite entertaining,” Rose said, watching one take a tumble.
I quickly used air to cushion his fall and prevent him from cracking his head.
The emotions in my well were stirring dangerously with impatience and frustration, and I suddenly understood the temptation to turn people into the creatures they emulate.
By the time we reached the top step, the guards around us had started yelling to bar the castle doors.
“I have no wish to force my way in,” I said, hesitating.
Rose chuckled. “I have no such qualms.”
The doors froze, allowing just enough room for us to pass one at a time. Brandle went first, followed by Eadric then me, and finally Edmund and the others. Rose entered last, and the doors closed behind us, shutting out the guards who had gathered. They pounded on the doors; then suddenly, everything outside went quiet.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked at the stunned palace guards.
“Can you please let King Afton know that the Kings of Turre are here to see him about a new trade agreement and let Eloise Cartwright know that her father and sister are here to see her?”
The man slowly nodded and backed away a few steps before pivoting and hurrying away.
Beside me, I felt Rose’s curiosity. She couldn’t decide whether I was holding back what I could do out of politeness or if I lacked the knowledge.
“Since I just learned I was a caster a few months ago, it would be safe to presume I lack the knowledge to do whatever it is you think I should do,” I said without taking my gaze from the far section of the grand entry where the guard had disappeared.
I felt Rose’s surprise and glanced at her.
“I can’t read thoughts but feel emotions. That’s how I gain my energy, too. I thought you did the same when you said there was no source for you to replenish your well.”
Her slow smile and growing amusement confused me. I was about to question her when I heard a familiar shout.
I looked down the hallway at my sister, who was running at me with her simple dress lifted high enough to show her stockings to the knee. Grinning through the sudden onslaught of my tears, I bolted for her.
We met in the middle, crashing into one another and falling to the floor—softly, thanks to Rose.
Eloise wrapped me in her arms, sobbing into my shoulder as I did almost the same but quieter.
“Should we at least pick them up?” I heard Darian ask.
“Give them a few moments,” my father said.
At the sound of his voice, she released me and scrambled to her feet, only to leap the short distance to our father. As he always did, he caught her in his strong arms and held her tightly.
Liam and Darian helped me to my feet as I watched their reunion.
“Forgive me,” Father whispered into her hair. “I wasn’t myself.”
She hugged him harder. “I know, Papa.”
Tears tracked down his cheeks as he kissed the top of her head and released her.
When she faced me once more, I uttered my own apology. “I’m so sorry, El. Forgive me for taking so long.”
She smiled. “You came back. It doesn’t matter how long it took. You’re here now.” A sudden smile lifted her tear-stained cheeks.
“Would you like to meet my husband-to-be?”
Father and I both agreed. She wrapped her arms around both of ours and started towing us down the hall.
Edmund cleared his throat at the same time as Daemon and Liam.
We paused as I glanced back at them then flashed Eloise the crooked smile I only showed her when I was up to something truly mischievous.
“It’s best I introduce you to mine first,” I said. “They claim to have patience, but I’ve yet to see it. Eloise, I would like you to meet Brandle, Edmund, Eadric, Daemon, Darian, Garron, and Liam—the kings of Turre.”
My twin released me as her gaze swept over them all.
“Mine?” she echoed. “All of them?”
“All of them,” I confirmed.
Shock rolled through her, accompanied by her curiosity about whether Mr. Bentwell’s books had influenced me. Sorrow followed.
“He died?” I asked.
She faced me and nodded.
“Maeve killed him when she searched for you. I got your clue. When I said you should leave, I didn’t mean the Dark Forest, silly.” She wrapped her arm around mine and hugged it. “Are you really marrying all seven of them?”
“She is,” Brandle said.
I could feel their collective desire and determination at Brandle’s words.
She glanced at my father.
He looked down, cleared his throat, and met my sister’s gaze. “They are fine men, not due to their rather lofty titles but because of everything they’ve done to keep your sister safe. Also, have I ever refused either of you anything?”
A surge of hurt washed over Eloise, and I knew she’d recalled the time he had refused her—when she had asked him not to leave. However, we both knew it hadn’t been his choice to leave. We’d suffered the effects of Maeve’s curses firsthand.
I took her arm this time. “Do you still want to introduce me to your husband?”
“Of course.”
She led us to the throne room, boldly walking through the doors and down the center aisle, straight toward the throne as if the throngs of noblemen and noblewomen standing on the outskirts of the room didn’t matter.
The guard who’d left to announce us stood off to the side of the throne.
“That is the one, Your Majesty,” the guard said.
“Princess Eloise,” the King said in the hush, “I wasn’t aware you were attending today’s session. And with guests.”
The man sitting to his right hadn’t taken his eyes off of Eloise since she appeared. I could feel his love for her and also his concern. The guard had just claimed a powerful caster forced her way into the palace.
“Your Majesty,” she said with a curtsey, “Greydon, I would like to present to you my sister, Kellen Cartwright, and my father, Atwell Cartwright.”
I nodded in greeting to the King of Drisdall and felt shock ripple through the crowd.
“Your Majesty,” my father said with a formal, low bow.
The king motioned for Father to rise, his gaze not leaving me. I could feel his speculation and hesitation, but anything more than that was difficult to guess. He was either adept at keeping his thoughts hidden or didn’t know what to think of me.
“Are you a caster, child?” he asked bluntly.
I smiled slightly. “Allow me to introduce myself more thoroughly. I am Kellen Cartwright, betrothed to the Kings of Turre, who have come with welcome news.”
Another ripple of shock and confusion swept through the crowd as I stepped aside and looked at Brandle.
“King Afton, almost two decades ago, a great evil slipped into Turre. The caster, Spyra Grimmoire, killed my parents, cursed my brothers and me, and took the throne. If not for your quick thinking to close the trade route between our two kingdoms, that evil might have spread.
“We’ve come for two reasons—three, actually. The first is to reunite Kellen with her sister, Eloise. The second is to personally tell you that the Foul Queen’s reign has ended, all thanks to Kellen. Her determination to do whatever was necessary to return to her family led her down paths she never thought she would walk.”
He took my hand, and I felt his love along with each of his brothers.
“And the third?” the King asked.
“We wish to reestablish our trade with Drisdall. Our kingdoms have been separated for too long. Though we have different views regarding casting, I believe we have more in common, such as our wish for prosperity and peace for our people.”
The king stood, and his gaze drifted to the other six brothers before he descended the stairs. Greydon, the man Eloise had addressed, followed him and took my sister’s hand.
“I still remember the gifts we sent for your birth, King Brandle,” the king said. “For you and each of your brothers, truthfully. Your parents were fair rulers. I am sorry for your loss and that I could do no more for you than close the trade route. At the time, our kingdom also suffered an attack. Another Grimmoire—I believe a sister to the one who attacked your kingdom.”
“Maeve and Spyra were stolen from their true families by a caster obsessed with power and raised as her own,” I said. “They shared no blood relation, only the last name of the caster who twisted them to her purpose.”
“She told you this?” the king asked, showing a hint of surprise.
I knew speaking of what I could do would not win me any favor, but Rose’s words not to hide rang in my ears. I glanced back to look at the woman, but she wasn’t there. Searching, I found the void of nothingness near the doors and needed to touch my well to see her. She once again looked like an old crone.
“Miss Cartwright,” the king said, recalling my attention.
“Princess Kellen,” Darian corrected.
I felt the king’s annoyance as I reached into my bag, pulled out the edict my mother had kept in the attic, and handed it over to him. His eyes went wide as he read it.
“The road between Turre and Drisdall is wide enough for three wagons abreast and well-protected from the beasts who still linger in the forest,” Liam said, stepping forward. “We have wool, cloth, grain from the north, and lumber in surplus. Our people are starved for vegetables and fruits we can’t grow and for news of families who lived on this side of the forest.”
The king shifted from the paper to me to Liam.
“You must be Prince Liam,” he said.
“King Liam,” Brandle corrected.
“You did not take the crown?” the king asked. I could feel that he’d already grasped the situation. However, he wanted us to clarify it here, in his court, for all of his subjects.
“What is it you fear?” I asked.
Surprise rippled through him and suspicion. A laugh escaped me as I understood.
“King Afton, you have no need to fear for your kingdom. Turre will need all seven of its Kings’ full attention to repair what the Foul Queen broke during her reign. And by collectively marrying me—” gasps rang out, and several women fainted “—there won’t be the passels of heirs hungry for our neighboring kingdom.
“We are only here for the reasons I stated.” I looked at the older woman who’d been standing off to the side. “You are welcome to connect to my well and see for yourself if I am a person with ill intent.”
The king glanced at the woman and nodded.
“That’s Elspeth. The women from the letters,” Eloise said quietly enough for her voice not to reach the nobles straining to hear. “She and Mother helped save the kingdom. That’s why we have that letter.”
I smiled at Elspeth.
“The books you left behind helped me understand what we faced. Thank you,” I said.
She nodded to me and held out her hand.
“Hold onto who you are, Elspeth. I’ve been told my well is deep enough to lose oneself.”
I felt her worry as I took her hand and let her in. While she searched me, I searched her and saw what history she allowed. When she withdrew, she was pale and shaky.
With a thought, I created a cup of healing tea and handed it to her. More gasps echoed.
“A few sips and you’ll feel better,” I said.
“By the bells, Kellen, just how powerful are you?” Eloise asked.
I smirked at my twin. “I figured out how to create a potion that can change a man into a woman. With the exception of the circumstance dictating its need, the results were quite amusing.”
“Only for you, Princess,” Darian said. “I still have nightmares.”
A snort escaped me since I’d witnessed his dreams.
“I didn’t mind it,” Eadric said. “Wearing a skirt is quite freeing.”
Someone laughed, easing the growing tension in the grand room.
“Your sister’s power is immeasurable,” Elspeth said after draining the cup. “If not for her warning, I doubt I would have…”
Taking the hand of the woman who had been like a mother to my mother, I shook my head. “Never. I would have never allowed anything to happen to you. Thank you for allowing me to see our past. It helped me understand why I am the way I am.”
I looked at the king. “While protecting your pregnant queen from Maeve’s attack so many years ago, I was deeply touched by that energy while my sister was only slightly touched. She has a sixth sense but nothing more.”
“It’s a fair trade,” Eloise said. “You got all the magic, and I got all the height, what little of it there was for us.”
Smiling, I returned my twin’s wink. She laughed.
“Kellen, the cold,” she scoffed. “If the boys from the market would see you now—” her gaze flicked to my kings. My father nudged her and shook his head.
“It seems we have much to discuss,” the king said. He looked out at the nobles. “Out. This session is done.”
Many of the nobles hurried for the door. A few lingered near the back. Families with daughters hoping to speak to the Kings of Turre. Including one who I recognized by their thoughts.
“Lord and Lady Thoning,” I called. “You wished to speak?”
Lady Thoning's fear of me almost drowned her determination to gain the king’s favor. Not her husband, though. He was all determination. And it wasn’t solely centered on the king. Prince Greydon or my kings would do as well.
He strode forward with his wife and daughter, who was close to the age of Kellen and me.
My father didn’t look at them, but I could feel his anger climbing.
“Your majesties,” Lord Thoning said with a bow as his wife and daughter curtsied. “Pardon my forwardness. When I heard the name Cartwright, I knew I must speak.”
“I agree, Lord Thoning,” I said. “Speak, but know every word you utter will only be the truth…grandfather.”
His disdain for me grew.
“Do not speak,” he said. “You are beneath me, a wretched offspring from a disgraced daughter. You have no right to try to rise above your place.”
“And where is my place?” I asked as his wife paled and tugged at his arm.
“In the gutter or swinging from a noose if what the guard said is true. All casters should die.”
Edmund’s ire exploded, and he punched Lord Thoning right in the mouth. The old man fell back like a toppled tree. I did not cushion him.
“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do that over the years,” my father said, clapping Edmund on the back. “Thank you, Son.”
Edmund’s proud grin faded when he caught my stoic stare.
“Words, Edmund,” I said.
With a signal from King Afton, the guards dragged Lord Thoning out, followed by a sniffling Lady Thoning. Their daughter wasn’t crying, though. On the inside, she was laughing.
“Margaret,” I called.
She paused to look back at me.
“You alone are welcome to visit me in Turre. The sister you’ve heard them whisper about was a great woman who also didn’t want to be forced into a loveless marriage to elevate her parents' standing.”
Lady Thoning grabbed her daughter and pulled her forcibly from the room.
“Those are our grandparents?” Eloise said in disbelief.
“They’ve never seen you as their granddaughters,” Father said.
“Not even now, knowing who we are to wed,” I said. “Margaret’s different, though. She knew only rumors of the disgraced sister who’s name she was given and was curious once she realized who we were.”
“Perhaps I’ll invite her to have tea with me,” Eloise said.
“I like your sister,” Eadric said.
I smiled at him.
“Perhaps we should retire to a quieter room,” the king said. “I would very much like to speak to you about your daughter marrying my son now that you’re here, Mr. Cartwright.”
“While I am honored by your deference, in this situation, I believe it best to speak to Eloise regarding who she wishes to marry and when.”
The king harrumphed. “After seeing your in-laws, I understand your hesitation. However, Eloise has already agreed. I wish to speak to you about…”
Their voices trailed off as they distanced themselves from us.
My sister gave me a quick hug and looked at my kings. “I am very much looking forward to getting to know my brothers. However, if I don’t hurry, King Afton will have me in a room with twenty dressmakers and an etiquette teacher before the day is done.”
Greydon bowed to me and allowed Eloise to pull him from the room.
I turned to my kings.
“Does this mean we’re welcome?” Garron asked hesitantly.
“Yes and no. The king won’t ask us to leave because of Eloise. However, my ability makes him uncomfortable, and my intent to wed all of you makes Greydon very uncomfortable. He’s worried Eloise will get ideas.”
I shifted my weight on my sore feet. They all noticed, but Daemon beat the rest to sweep me off my feet.
“My poor Lamb. Let’s see if we can find a room to tend to you.”
The agreement of the others wrapped around me, and I felt my hunger stir. It had been a very long walk from the cabin, and though I didn’t feel depleted, I couldn’t deny my need.
As we neared the door, I felt Rose.
“Thank you for watching over my sister,” I said.
I felt her thanks in return and so much more.
By embracing everything that I was, I would help change both our kingdoms for the better. But before I traveled that exhausting path, I would need to replenish what I’d lost. My well was vast, but so too was the love my kings felt for me.
Be at peace and reign well, Kellen. Perhaps we will meet again in the future.
After that thought, I felt her leave.